--- title: Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee — Puerto Rico… description: Active scam alert: Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee is targeting immigrants in Puerto Rico. How it works, red flags, and how to protect… image: https://migrantiq.com/og/default.png --- Skip to content Advertisement728 × 90AdSense zone 🇵🇷 FAKE BORDER, AIRPORT, OR FAST-TRACK ASSISTANCE FEE MediumArrival FraudPublisher: MigrantIQ Safety3 min read7 reported cases Editorially reviewedLast updated 2026-10-04Reviewed by MigrantIQ Editorial TeamOfficial reporting channel ↗ [https://www.uscis.gov/] Safety guidance, not emergency support If you are in immediate danger or have already lost money, contact local emergency services, your bank, and the official fraud reporting channel in the destination country. MigrantIQ provides general safety guidance. Terms [/terms/]Privacy [/privacy/]Report an issue [/contact/] HOW THIS SCAM WORKS HOW DOES THIS SCAM USUALLY START? In Puerto Rico, a common scam involves individuals posing as airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents. These scammers claim that newcomers must pay a special fee to enter Puerto Rico, expedite their processing, or avoid questioning. This scam often targets tourists, first-time travelers, workers, and students, creating confusion and anxiety among those unfamiliar with the local immigration process. Victims may receive phone calls or messages before their arrival, urging them to pay fees to ensure a smooth entry into the territory. WHAT TACTICS DO SCAMMERS USE? Scammers often create a sense of urgency, suggesting that failure to pay the fee will result in detention or other negative consequences. They may provide convincing but false information about the need for these payments, making it difficult for victims to discern the truth. Many individuals fall prey to this scam, believing they are following legitimate procedures to enter Puerto Rico. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF CONTACTED? If you encounter someone claiming that you need to pay a fee for border, airport, or fast-track assistance, you should remain vigilant. Always verify the information through official channels. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website can provide guidance on legitimate fees and procedures. If you suspect you are being scammed, report the incident to local authorities or the appropriate consumer protection agency. RED FLAGS * Payment requested by phone or chat before arrival * Claims that refusal to pay will cause detention * No official invoice or government payment portal * Person cannot show official identification or office location HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF To protect yourself from this scam, always use official fee schedules and payment channels for Puerto Rico. At airports or borders, speak directly to uniformed officers at official counters. If asked to make a payment, request a printed receipt for any legitimate fees. Learn about the official processes outlined on the USCIS website to avoid falling victim to misinformation. WHAT TO DO IF TARGETED * - Stop communication and do not send more money or documents * - Save messages, receipts, contracts, profile links, and phone numbers * - Contact your bank or payment provider if money was sent * - Report through official fraud, police, or immigration channels Official reporting channel → [https://www.uscis.gov/] PREVENTION TIPS * - Only pay government fees through official portals * - Do not trust guaranteed visa approvals or secret appointment slots * - Verify employer, school, agent, or landlord identities independently * - Avoid personal-account transfers and pressure tactics EMERGENCY & REPORTING CONTACTS If there is immediate danger, contact local emergency services. If money was sent, contact your bank/payment provider and official fraud reporting channels. SOURCES & REFERENCES * MigrantIQ scam alert record Published 2026-05-07. * Puerto Rico official reporting channels [https://www.uscis.gov/] Use official reporting channels if you were targeted or lost money. WHO IS TARGETED touristsfirst-time travellersworkersstudents Feedback Was this guide helpful? Your answer helps us improve guides and update priority. YesNo Summarize this page with AI Opens your assistant with a pre-filled prompt (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude). Gemini uses Google AI Mode. Ask AI ↗ Not affiliated with any AI platform. Always verify immigration rules on official government sites. SCAM SAFETY FAQ SHOULD I PAY ANY FEE BEFORE MY VISA IS APPROVED? Legitimate government fees are paid through official channels with receipts. Never wire cash to personal accounts for a “guaranteed” outcome. HOW DO I REPORT A SUSPICIOUS OFFER? Collect evidence (messages, contracts), then report through your destination country’s fraud or immigration reporting channels and warn your community. Advertisement300 × 250AdSense zone MORE ALERTS * Document Translation, Notary, or Apostille Overcharge [/scam-alerts/puerto-rico-us/document-translation-notary-overcharge/] * Fake University or Scholarship Letter [/scam-alerts/puerto-rico-us/fake-university-or-scholarship-letter/] * Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract [/scam-alerts/puerto-rico-us/rental-deposit-before-viewing/] * Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee [/scam-alerts/puerto-rico-us/fake-job-offer-work-permit-fee/] CONTINUE * All Puerto Rico alerts [/scam-alerts/puerto-rico-us/] * Global hub [/scam-alerts/] Plan smarter Save countries, compare destinations, track visa checklists, and sync your migration plan across devices. Open My Plan [/plan/]Account Dashboard [/account/] Free resources TOOLS & GUIDES Full sitemap → [/sitemap/] PLAN YOUR MOVE * Eligibility quiz [/tools/eligibility/] * Tax calculator [/tools/tax-calculator/] * Tax compare [/tools/tax-compare/] * Tax guides [/tools/tax-guides/] * Points calculator [/tools/points-calculator/] * Cost calculator [/calculator/] * Move planner [/tools/planner/] * Best country [/tools/best-country/] * Pathway finder [/tools/pathway-finder/] * Corridor fit [/tools/corridor-fit/] * Compare 3 countries [/tools/compare-three/] * Job → visa matcher [/tools/job-visa-match/] * Scam checker [/tools/scam-check/] * All tools [/tools/] GUIDES & SAFETY * Visa guides [/visas/] * Scholarships [/scholarships/] * Government jobs [/government-jobs/] * Immigration updates [/countries/canada/immigration-updates/] * Embassies [/embassies/] * Laws [/laws/] * Scam alerts [/scam-alerts/] * Checklists [/checklist/] * Country profiles [/countries/] ARRIVAL HUBS * Settle [/settle/] * Driving [/driving/] * Sponsors [/sponsors/] * Ancestry [/ancestry/] * Housing [/housing/] * Money [/money/] * Family [/family/] * Pets [/pets/] * Shipping [/shipping/] * Investment [/investment/] * Retire [/retire/] * Return [/return/] * Safe migration [/safe-migration/] COMMUNITY * Q&A [/qa/] * People stories [/stories/] * Blog [/blog/] * Android app (Google Play) [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en] * Write for us [/write-for-us/] * Experts [/experts/] * Apply for expert listing [/experts/apply/] * Documentation [/documentation/] * Employers (HR) [/employers/] ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","logo":"https://migrantiq.com/logo.png","description":"MigrantIQ publishes free migration guides covering visas, laws, costs, culture, banking, healthcare, scam alerts, and moving checklists for 220 countries.","knowsAbout":["immigration","visa requirements","moving abroad","cost of living","immigrant laws","scam protection","arrival checklists"],"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/migrantiq/","https://x.com/MigrantIQ","https://www.instagram.com/migrantiqorg/","https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en"],"contactPoint":[{"@type":"ContactPoint","contactType":"customer support","email":"Info@MigrantIQ.com","url":"https://migrantiq.com/contact/","availableLanguage":["English"]}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#website","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","publisher":{"@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en","potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://migrantiq.com/search/?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://migrantiq.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Scam Alerts","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Puerto Rico","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/puerto-rico-us/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/puerto-rico-us/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/puerto-rico-us/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/#article","headline":"Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee in Puerto Rico: How to Spot and Avoid It","description":"## How does this scam usually start?\n\nIn Puerto Rico, a common scam involves individuals posing as airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents. These scammers claim that newcomers must pay a special fee to enter Puerto Rico, expedite their processing, or avoid questioning. This scam often targets tourists, first-time travelers, workers, and students, creating confusion and anxiety among those unfamiliar with the local immigration process. Victims may receive phone calls or messages before their arrival, urging them to pay fees to ensure a smooth entry into the territory.\n\n## What tactics do scammers use?\n\nScammers often create a sense of urgency, suggesting that failure to pay the fee will result in detention or other negative consequences. They may provide convincing but false information about the need for these payments, making it difficult for victims to discern the truth. 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